South Australia’s regions came alive this Australia Day long weekend with events showcasing the State’s premium food, wine and sporting reputation.

More than 58,000 people attended major events across the State, including Tunarama in Port Lincoln, Crush Festival in the Adelaide Hills and the Australian Sprint Car Championships in Mount Gambier.

All three events are supported by the State Government’s Regional Events and Festivals Program.

Applications are now open for the 2018/19 program, with local community groups encouraged to apply for funding.

Background

The Regional Events and Festivals Program and Community Events Development Fund provide financial and marketing support to tourism events held throughout South Australia which increase visitation and lift the profile of the state’s regions.

In 2017/18 the South Australian Government committed $404,000 to deliver 39 events across 11 regions.

Applications are now open for the 2018/19 program, supporting events held after 1 September 2018. Applications will close on 16 March 2018.

For more information visit http://tourism.sa.gov.au/events-and-industry/events-south-australia/event-funding-and-support

Regional Events and Festivals Program (REFP)

  • A regional event attracts intrastate (minimum of 50km round trip) and interstate attendees (in some cases, a small contingent of international audiences as well).
  • Funding is to go towards marketing and promotion of the event only.
  • Applicants are encouraged to seek multiple year agreements (up to three years) to reduce administration required from event managers and the SATC. Note that a long-term strategy will be required to support this.
  • There is no maximum $ amount that events can apply for.  
  • All items of the business plan must be completed.

Community Events Development Fund (CEDF)

  • This funding is for events that have potential to grow into regional events (i.e. the intention to move from a predominantly local/intrastate audience to a focus on intrastate/interstate audiences).
  • The CEDF offers up to $5,000 to each event, and the funding does not need to be specific to marketing and promotion, however there must be rationale behind how the funded activities will attract new audiences.
  • The business plan requirements are a little less technical than the REFP (i.e. no requirement to specify trends and future projections, mission and vision statements, media plans, etc.).
  • Applicants are required to send through as much of the requested content as possible (to the best of their ability).

Premier Jay Weatherill acknowledged every weekend in South Australia regional communities are putting on events, both big and small, which draw in new visitors and boost the local economy.

“Tunarama alone attracts more than 30,000 people who come from all over to join the celebration of South Australia’s premium seafood – including the world-famous Tuna Toss competition.

These kind of events become part of the cultural fabric of South Australia’s regions, building community spirit and helping to put our regional towns on the map,” he said.

Minister for tourism, Leon Bignell, said “South Australia is known around the world for our festivals and events, which all contribute to our record $6.3 billion visitor economy and help to create more jobs within the tourism industry.

“Every year we put aside funding to support the development of new events and help expand existing events. I urge local councils and community groups to consider whether this grant program can help bring their event ideas to life and apply for funding.

 

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